PROGRAMS

We already have PR Mayors & City Councilpersons, County Commissioners & State Legislators, chambers of commerce  we need to capitalize on NOW! Kissimmee, Palm Bay, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Polk County, Jacksonville, FL, among others. Collaborations & Exchanges on:

• Education
• Health
• Business
• Economic Development
• Sports
• Cultural
• Tourism

• Each sister city organization is independent and pursues the activities and thematic areas that are important to them and their community including municipal, business, trade, educational, and cultural exchanges and projects with their sister city. Sister city relationships develop from a number of sources, including but not limited to: preexisting mayoral relationships, trade relationships, historical connections, ancestral/demographic connections, Puerto Rican Diaspora communities, shared geographic/sector challenges, faith-based groups, and personal experiences ranging from study/work abroad to marriages.A sister city, county, or state relationship is a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries. 
• A relationship is officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed official from both communities sign off on an agreement to become sister cities. Trade, business, technical, educational, sports and cultural exchanges and mutual support mechanisms are fostered.
• A city may have any number of sister cities, with community involvement ranging from a half dozen to hundreds of volunteers. In addition to volunteers, sister city organizations can include representatives from nonprofits, municipal governments, the private sector, and other civic organizations.
• All of Sister Cities are independent organizations and have a number of management structures. Sister city organizations are run by a group of volunteers, representatives from local institutions, the mayor’s office or municipal government, or by some combination of these. Most often sister city organizations are part of an incorporated as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, although the municipal government may have representation or a formal relationship with the group. Many are governed by a board of directors or a commission. Organizations are most often organized by committees. 
• Some sister city organizations are run by local institutions, such as a museum, cultural center, or chamber of commerce, such as our PR-USA Chamber of Commerce. Most municipal contacts for sister city organizations are in the office of the mayor, office of tourism/convention and visitors bureau, office of international affairs, office of protocol, or the Office of Economic Development.
• PR-USA Chamber of Commerce (PRUSACC) recognizes a sister city relationship when mayors or highest elected officials from the two communities sign an agreement to become sister cities, although many cities have their own requirements. You should first contact us and talk with  us about our process. Usually a group will first contact the mayor/city government to see if they are open to the possibility of a new relationship. Fees: First year fee is $10,000 and $5,000 thereafter, in addition to the $2,300 annual membership fee. 
• Setting up a sister city organization is best done as part of a committee or city group working with our PRUSACC. First, we check, do some research to see if your city of interest already has an organization. You should not try to start a new sister city or sister city organization without first engaging an existing organization. If your city does not have an organization and you would like to start one, please contact us. We already have several interested cities ready to engage yours!

Programs Summary

• Diáspora Network: collaborations with PR Diáspora institutions. 
• CALLE MEJOR (TM) PROGRAM (Mainstreet Program)- to revitalize older and historic commercial districts to build stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.  
• Nationwide PR Youth Outreach Program- via student chapters to motivate mutual rewarding networking & contributions. 
• Launching & Marketing PR Products & Services- promote access to the distribution and sale of PR products & services in the Diáspora, and in turn their (PR-owned business based in US mainland) products & services to PR.
• Shared Learnings- provide a comprehensive resource for sharing Key Sucess Factors, Success Stories, Case Studies, successful programs & models, incubating business ideas, leveraging new markets & resources, taking advantage of new opportunities- share learnings & successful initiatives. 
• PUERTO RICAN DAY- Promote the concept of a Puerto Rican Day and a Puerto Rican Community Economic Forum to be celebrated in every state & PR, to promote PR cultural contributions & interests.
• Incubators & Accelerators Collabs: Create I/A offices in PR/FL/NY
• Trade Missions
• Webinars
• Networking Groups
• Puerto Ricans NGO's, NPO's, Youth Organizations & Business Database in US Mainland & PR
• FL-PR Economic Bridge Program
• "Sister Cities" comprehensive & collaborative program- with cities with significant PR enclaves and elected officials.
• PR Parades  & other similar organizations- serve as a platform for them to collaborate, share learnings.
• US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Convention: create and potentiate the Steering-Organizing Committtee for prospecting the 2024 venue for the US Chamber of Commerce Convention in PR, and a close working relationship.
• Business conferences, forums & webinars- to educate our members.
• Academic institutions collaborations- promote along with student exchanges.
• 1st National Puerto Rican Organizations Conference in 2024.

PRUSACC & Economic Development